Mid week! 2-22

I am slowly catching up on my sleep.  I didn't sleep as late as I did yesterday but I did sleep a bit later than usual.  I had a lot (for me) of students today.  3 were make ups from earlier in the week.  I am a bit extra tired but I was fine during the lessons.  My little ones (the twins) had their birthdays today.  They are officially 5 years old now and their sister will be officially 7 on Saturday.  I wished them all Happy Birthday.  I hope they have a good one.  Aubrey (the soon to be 7 year old) has no school this week as it is winter break for her school.  The schools around me have no school for the week.

I haven't gotten the brakes fixed yet.  I am going to take it in on Friday.  It is doing alright.  The grinding didn't happen today but I do know it needs to be taken in.  I just hope it isn't too expensive.  That is why I am taking it in before I lose the brakes.  That would not be good so I will take it in on Friday before teaching.

Seeing Kathy this past weekend was so awesome.  I am hoping that sometime in March she may be able to come for a couple of days.  I so miss her when I don't see her.  I had such a good time with her.  I also did enjoy seeing the kids on Saturday night.  The girls were watching some cute kid cartoons.  I didn't mind at all because I like kid cartoons.  After watching a few, it was time for them to go to bed.  On Sunday, they had new bunk beds to sleep in.  Tony picked them up from Kathy's parents.  Her parents are moving to a condo and there isn't room for them there.  Fortunately, it was just about time to move the girls into twin size beds from their toddler beds so the timing is great.  Tony went to pick them up and brought them home.  The girls are so excited about their new bedding.  They picked out their own.  Alicia's was mostly pink and Samantha's was different colored hearts.  They were very cute.  They are very excited to be sleeping in bunk beds.  I think one of the best sounds in the world is a child's laughter.  It is more than music to me.  I love when the girls giggle with me.  We have a good time.  After the girls went to bed, the boys went downstairs to play video games so Kathy and I had the TV to ourselves!  A miracle!  Poor Kathy, part of being a parent, I think, is to never get the TV for yourself.  I know my mother rarely did.  Fortunately, my mother, like Kathy, like the children shows and the family shows.  Mom, Andrew, Richard, and I would often snuggle on the sofas in the family room watching TV together.  On Saturday nights, Mom, Andrew, and I would watch the Love Boat and Fantasy Island.  We would either have popcorn or a float.  I no longer can have popcorn.  It upsets my tummy a few hours after eating it so I don't eat it anymore.  I do like floats though.  When I was small, regular pop upset my tummy (too much sugar does that too me) so when they invented diet coke Mom took me to a McDonald's to try some.  I really liked it and it doesn't bother my tummy!  When she would make my floats, I always had less ice cream than they did.  I didn't mind because I knew if I had the same amount I would have major tummy pain that night which would mean no sleep for mom or me.  Mom was so very careful with what I could have and what would upset my tummy.  Little did we know that when I was a baby she was right, my tummy does not digest properly.  She asked a doctor about that but they dismissed them.  Well, when I was in the hospital in 2008, the doctor said that my tummy does not digest properly.  Mom was shocked and told Dr. T that she had asked about that when I was a baby.  He said, you were right.  I take reglan to help digest my food.  It also helps with my constant upset tummy.  Until reglan, I would have upset tummies at least 4 to 6 times a week.  Yes, I do have IBS, but this is above and beyond what my IBS is like.

Anyways, I would like Kathy to come and see me next month.  If not, I will see her (most likely) at Easter.  Easter Sunday is also my birthday.  I will be 44 years old.  It seems kind of strange to soon to be 44.  It seemed so old when I was a teenager, but now it seems young.  Strange how time does that to a person.

I did not wake up with a bad headache today, just the normal headache.  However, I have a bad one now.  I took some medicine some I am hoping it will go back to normal by bed time.

I have to come up with a book for Maggie and I to read.  I did buy a new one that Star suggested, but I haven't started it yet.  There was one I wanted her to read but I can't remember what it was about at this point.  I loaned it to Kathy so I can't re-read it right now.  I figure that once Kathy reads it and I get it back, then Maggie and I can discuss it at that point.  I am not in a hurry to get it back.  I wanted to get the new Kristin Hannah book but I haven't ordered it yet.  I need to do that.  I just ordered it along with a Danielle Steel book.  I like Danielle Steel a lot too but Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors.  My absolutely favorite author is LM Montgomery, next is JK Rowlings.  Both are such great authors and their books are so amazing.

Well, it is time to end this post and read for a bit before bed.  I do hope you had a good day.

NCIS night 2-21

The month is more than 1/2 over.  Wow, it has gone fast.  I don't mind though since it made competition come faster and now it is over.  I really slept a lot yesterday and today recovering from competition.  It always takes a few days to recover completely.

My brakes are going on my car.  I have to take it in tomorrow.  I just can't wait anymore.  I have a friend who could do them, but they are out of town until Monday and I don't want to wait that long.  I am afraid of how bad they would be if I waited.  Right now they grind right before I stop so I don't want to have to get new rotors if I don't have too.  I am hoping it is just a simple job and nothing to serious.  I will take it in tomorrow afternoon before teaching.  I am also hoping that it won't take too long either.  Since I am not an expert, I will leave it to the mechanics at the shop.  This is only the 2nd thing I have had to have fixed.  The first was new tires 2 years ago.  I sure hope I don't need any of those soon.

I have a lot (for me) lessons tomorrow.  Isaac is making up his lesson from yesterday and Charlie is making his up from tonight.  I am looking forward to tomorrow because I have my 3 littlest ones.  They are so adorable and cute.  The twins, who will be 5 tomorrow, are doing really well.  They have learned their bass clef notes quickly and their soon to be 7 year old sister is also doing amazing.  She learned her notes so quickly.  I was astonished at how fast she learned them.  I am very happy with how well the 3 of them are doing.  I really am.  I am hoping that next year they will want to go to competition.  I think they would do awesome there since they all play so nicely.  Apparently, Aaiyana wanted to go this year. Well, I asked and they never got back to me so she missed it.  Oh well, there is always next year.

I should be back to my normal self rather soon.  It always takes a few days to get back to my normal self.    I woke up again today with a super bad headache.  That makes 3 days in a row.  At least by evening the head is back to the regular pain.  I am hoping that tomorrow I won't wake up with it.  Although, should I do that, I am going to get up and take something for it instead of just rolling over.  Perhaps, that would help it go back down faster.  I am getting up a bit early tomorrow to take my car in for repair.  I am getting tired now.  That is a good thing since it is only about 9 ish or so.  I am really hoping for a decent night sleep, only waking a couple of times for pain.  The last couple nights since I came home, I seem to walk up about 6 to 7 times each night.  I am tired of waking up so much.  This morning, the phone kept on ringing though and that kept waking me up.  I am putting it on silence tonight so I won't hear the phone ring tomorrow morning.

I just saw a commercial for the 3D version of Titanic.  Are they making 3D versions of all movies now? first there was Lion King, then Beauty and the Beast and now Titanic?  I won't be seeing it though because I don't really like that movie.  The music is beautiful that is for sure, but I won't be seeing the movie.  They are re-releasing the Star Wars movies in 3D too.  Fortunately, they will be re-releasing them in 2D also because I just don't particularly like 3D.    I did alright with Beauty and the Beast but I am still not a fan of 3D.  I prefer 2D.

I hope you are having a good day.

after competition

I am so exhausted from this past weekend.  I was able to spend a lot more time than I thought with Kathy and I loved every minute of it!  My 2 did well.  I expected Aggie to do very well because she was so prepared, my other wasn't as prepared.  She did get 2 3rd places so we were glad about that.  I am hoping next year to have a few more students compete.  Ria seems to be interested and so does Selma so that is a good thing.  I am thankful it is over that is for sure.  this year was rather stressful, more than usual.  I had the job of getting the judges and believe me, I will NEVER do that job again.  It is very hard and with all the opinions from others, that makes it even harder.  We had judges and I think the ones whose comments I have already read did a good job.  I am just glad that it is over.  I didn't get to sleep a whole lot while I was in Kalamazoo.  On Sunday, I woke up with a super bad headache.  I went downstairs to the judge's meeting and Diane told me to go back to bed.  She would take care of the meeting.  I slept until 11:40 am.  I got up and packed to check out of the hotel room.  Unfortunately, I accidentally left me winter coat in the room.  I noticed it after the awards ceremony.  I was lucky though because someone went to check the room and found it.  I was so happy about that because winter is not over and I love my winter coat.  It is so nice and warm.  It should last a long time.  I simply love it so I am glad that it was in the room and not lost.

I did sleep a lot today.  I got up late like I expected and then took a 2 1/2 hour nap about 2 or so hours after I got up.  I was just so tired, I couldn't stay awake.  I know it was from this weekend and if I didn't take the nap, I may have had another crash and burn episode.  I think I may have missed it by taking the extra sleep or at least I hope so.  I did have another bad headache today, but now it is just a little bad headache.  The extra sleep really helped.  When I have a bad headache it is like having a headache on top of another headache because I have a headache ever day.  I have had one for over 7 years now.  I can't remember what it was like not to have a headache.  I really don't.  I know that at one time I didn't have daily headaches, but now I do.

I am watching Dance Moms.  It is the episode I missed a few weeks ago and it is a good one.  I do like this show.  I admit it.  I don't so much care about the bickering Moms, I love watching the girls dance.  that is the part I really like, the girls dancing.

Tomorrow I have a few lessons.  I am going to also going to clean up the kitchen.  I have to empty the dishwasher.  I kind of haven't done it since I last washed the dishes.  when I need a clean dish I just get it out of the dishwasher.  I need to fix that.  I also have some laundry to do too.  It should only be one load so that will done quickly.

Kathy gave me some books that I loaned her on Saturday.  I only brought one book to competition so I ran out of reading material.  This is awful!!!  I did buy a book, but it is an author I have never read but I know many who have so I hope it is good.  I am glad Kathy gave me the books back because she had a book I thought I had donated!  It is to the O'Malley series that I simply love.  I had thought I donated the entire series but as it turns out, all but 2 were in my drawer in my room.  Now they are downstairs on my bookshelves.  I love the library part of the family room a lot.  It is so nice to go downstairs and pick a book off the shelf or put another one away.  I just really like the way the family room looks.  This weekend, the Muglia girls are coming to sort music and put it away.  We are also going to put the CDs away too.  I am very thankful that they are going to help me with this.  They are coming on Sunday.  Saturday, Lydia is getting a perm as a part of her birthday gift.  She will look even prettier than usual with it, I think.  They are such wonderful girls.  All of my students are.

I am going to read for a bit and then head to bed.  I am still very tired from the weekend.  It was exhausting.  I tried to prepare for it, but it really isn't something I can prepare for.  I try, but it is difficult to do.  I hope you have had a good day too.

MASH

I love this show.  I didn't know it was on TVland but it is.  I know it runs on lots of stations.  It is such a good show.  I think I have seen every single episode.  I remember when it ended.  I was in high school and we had a band event that night.  We were all really bummed about it.  Fortunately, it was right around the time VCRs came out so several parents taped the show to make sure we would be able to watch it during band the following day.  That was how we spent the next band class, watching MASH.  We all laughed a lot.

It has been a nice day.  The weather is warm so the pain is not as much when it is super cold.  Peter and Carolyn came over for a few minutes to help put my scooter in the trunk of my car.  I did let them each have a couple of turns riding it.  It works beautifully now that the batteries have been changed.  Both of them love riding my scooter.  They now want one.  I am glad I have one although I am NOT glad that I need one.  I use it not only because of the Fibro, but also because of the arthritis.  I have arthritis in my lower back and hips as well as my hands.  I am not sure where else but definitely in those places.  So between the two, my walking is not super good.  I can't walk for any amount of distance, which saddens me because I used to go for a 2 to 3 mile walk every day.  I would put my headphones to my CD player on  and listen to the CDs I made just for walking.  Now I use my elliptical machine as much as I can.  (I think I am up to a few minutes now - but it is a start).

I can't wait to see Kathy tomorrow.  I will also see her Saturday night.  I am very excited about this.  We will have a really good time.  No, we are NOT going to party.  Neither of us are party people.  We are going to go to lunch and then probably go back to her house and talk up a storm.  Saturday night we are most likely going to watch the extras on Harry Potter 7 part 2.  There is a special disc that only Target Stores were selling so each of us got the Target Harry Potter.  We are both BIG Harry Potter fans.  We will get the TV after we put the twins to bed.  I am so excited because I will get to spend some time with the twins and the boys as well as Kathy on Saturday night.  I am not bringing any games to play with her kids because I gave them most of them at Christmas.  I am glad that I did because they have such a good time playing them.  It makes me smile to see them have fun and play together.  Kathy and I played with the girls on Christmas Day.  That was such a good time to me and a wonderful memory.  It made my Christmas so nice when it had potential to be very sad.  I couldn't be sad with Kathy and her family.  Her parents are so nice too.  They have known me most of my life since Kathy and I have been friends since we were 3.  We met in church Sunday school.  We also went to the same schools, which really strengthened our friendship.  I am so thankful for our friendship.  We will most likely be friends till the end.  Then we will be in Heaven together.  I am so sure of that.

Project Runway is on now.  There was no choir practice tonight because we are doing combined services on Sunday so practice is on Saturday instead.  Carolyn told me but I did receive a phone call during my last lesson for the day.  Either way, I did get the message of no choir tonight.  A combined service will be interesting.  I attend the Traditional Service.  That is when choir sings.  We don't have any praise team for that service because of the choir.  The other 3 services are Contemporary Services with praise teams leading the singing.  During a combined service, all the praise teams and choir will sing together and each of the services will be exactly the same.  We do sing at all the services about once a month.  I haven't done one yet because I was sick for the first one of the year.  I really am enjoying the choir.  Because I can't stand very long or well, I sit on a stool.  I really wish I could reach the ground but I can't.  I am getting a stool made for me for that purpose.  They think it would be safer for me too and I agree.  I am glad that I tried this church.  While there are some things that are different, the message is very similar from what the church I grew up in is the same.  I really like this choir because there are some really good singers.  I am good, but there are singers who are better than me and it is nice to be one of the crowd, very nice.  It is a good change.  I like to be a member and not a lead member at this time in my life.  It really is a good thing.

I do hope you had a good day.

Wednesday mid month 2-15

It is mid month already.  It was a quiet day today with a few lessons.  My last lesson's mom accidentally left her keys in the car.  Whoops!  She called her husband so he can bring his set to let them in.  The girls played with some of the toys that I have.  They were so cute.  It didn't take anytime at all for him to arrive at my house.  After that, I had to go and pick up my refill of 2 medicines.  I also saw that they had the Fox and the Hound and the Fox and the Hound 2 together on a DVD on sale.  I picked it up.  I love the Fox and the Hound first one but I have never seen the 2nd one.  I am sure it is just as good.  I love most Disney movies.  They are usually so good.  I have only seen a few that I didn't care for.  Mom liked them a lot too. You might say the apple didn't fall far from the tree when it comes to liking most Disney stuff.

I have laundry I have to do tomorrow.  I have been putting it off long enough.  You know me!  I hate doing laundry.  It is just the worst job ever.  Next weekend Mariela comes over to clean again.  I am having her come once a month to help me out.  She did a really good job last month.

Teaching is going well.  All the students are doing pretty well.  I do have 4 students who don't practice at all except at a lesson.  They are rather small and their parents just don't seem to mind that they don't practice.  Two of them are very good despite not practicing.  Imagine what they could be doing if they did practice?  It would be unbelievable but they don't so I just going along with it.  They are all very cute kids.

I have 2 students going to competition this year.  I am thinking I will probably have more next year when it is in Dearborn.  I have so many beginners that they just wouldn't be ready this year so I am thinking next year if they are interested.  Both of the students are singers.  Usually, I have more singers than piano students competing.  One is 10 and the other is an adult.

Well, it has been a quiet day.  Pain-wise, I am doing alright.  I have just the normal pain level today.  I hope it stays that way for the rest of the week.

I hope you are having a good day.

A definite Brain Fog Moment 2-13 and 2-14

Talking about Brian Fog!  I started this yesterday and totally forgot I started it!!!!!

It is the day before Valentine's Day.  I actually like Valentine's Day despite being single.  I wrote out the Valentine's for my students on Friday.  So far, I am remembering to pass them out.  One never knows with me because I forget things so easy with this lovely Brain Fog I get.  It can get so frustrating!  I have two cousins who joke around about Brain Fog but they don't understand how it can really impact my life and those of us who truly have it.  It is no laughing matter and it really bothers me that they do this like it is some kind of joke.  I think it is just rude that they do that.

Okay,  now it is Valentine's Day!  Happy Valentine's Day!!!  I hope it is a great one for everyone!  So far, it has been a very good day for me.  With the exception of my first lesson (she didn't show up), all did very well.  I just emailed her mom to find out why she was absent again.  I am really tired of her just not showing up.  A phone call would be really nice or an email saying that she won't be here.  That would have been nice.  The rest of the lessons were good.  I already knew that Charlie would be absent because he told me last week.  Next week he will have an hour lesson to make up for this week.

Since it is Tuesday, it is NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles night.  NCIS is on right now and it is a good one. I love these shows a lot.  It was one of the shows that Mom didn't get scared of.  Of course, I didn't turn it on in the fall just in case but if we accidentally watched it, she wasn't scared of it.  It is kind of weird, but hey, if she wasn't scared that was a good thing.  This was a really good episode of NCIS.  I would highly recommend this show to those who like crime type dramas.  It is NOT for young children, that is for sure, but it is a good show.  I would not say this is a good family show because unless you have older teens, I wouldn't want younger people watching it.  I like that the good guys always win.

NCIS Los Angeles is on and so is Dance Moms.  I switched to Dance Moms because tomorrow I can watch NCIS Los Angeles.  There aren't that many episodes of the Dance Moms left so then I will be exclusive with the NCIS shows.  I find Dance Moms rather entertaining.  I really like how the kids dance though.  They are unusually talented girls for their age.  Of course, they dance 4 to 6 hours a night at least 5 days a week, which would certainly improve any dancer.  They are very flexible too.  It does make me miss dance.  I had to quit at 23 because of the pain.  I didn't know at that time it was Fibro.  I just knew that I couldn't handle the pain anymore.  It was getting super bad at that point.  Also at that time, the dance studio I danced and taught at was closing.  If it wasn't for the pain, I could have found another studio to work at but it just hurt so bad.  The one thing I do regret though, is the fact that I didn't replace the exercise I was getting with another form of exercise.  I gained a lot of weight after I quit dancing.  It was definitely not a good thing on that.  Now I struggle with exercise and the pain.  I am working on it though, a little bit at a time.  Some day I will be able to do more than I can now.  I am sure of it.  It won't be the 4 to 6 hours of dancing I did, but maybe 20 minutes of the elliptical machine.  I can only hope.

It has been a good day.  Pain-wise, well, I have a bad headache now but I hope it won't keep me from sleeping tonight.  It is hard to say.  I do hope you are having a good Valentine's Day!

wonderings 2-12

I had such a wonderful day yesterday.  I had a couple of lessons and then headed to Barnes and Nobles to meet up with former students, Kelly Lynn and Star.  I have seen Kelly Lynn a few times as she is a new teacher and has many questions.  It is so exciting to see her all grown up and a teacher.  I was her first piano and voice teacher.  Star, I haven't seen since 2001 although I have spoke with her on face book.  The lovely thing about face book, reconnecting with people!  I arrived after them but not too late.  We had such a good time.  As a matter of fact the first time we looked at the time, it was 7:40 pm!  Yes, 5 hours after we arrived!  Well, we continued to talk and talk and talk.  We ended up closing the store at 11 pm.  So all in all, we were there visiting for 8 1/2 HOURS!  Talk about an amazing time.  Both girls have grown up to be simply wonderful young women as they are 24 and 25 respectively.  I am so thankful that I was a part of their childhoods.  I really am.  I have been so blessed to have worked with so many wonderful students over the last 25 years.  We three are planning a movie night together.  There are a couple of movies that we want to see so we are going to see them together.  I am so thankful I was with them yesterday.

On thing has been bothering me for the last 16 months.  Some days I feel I am doing pretty well going through the grieving process but other days I feel like I am sinking.  I am not lonely in general, I am lonely for Momma.  You might say I am homesick for my mother.  What question that constantly goes through my head is how to I want to want to go on.  Some days getting up is so hard because I just want to hide under the covers.  I find myself wishing that today or tonight, depending on what time of day it is, to die that night.  How do you want to want to get up in the morning?  How do you want to want to live a long and successful life?  I don't know.  I really don't.  This is very hard to admit for me.  I don't feel like I am suicidal or anything like that.  I do know Mom wanted me to have a good life and be successful.  She was proud that I was a teacher and loved listening to my students whether it was at their lessons, competition, or recitals.  I am not thinking of ways to kill myself.  Nothing like that.  I just don't know how to start wanting to want to live without my mother.  Will this come too after more time?  I don't have as many days with the physical pain of missing her.  I can talk about her now without crying, although sometimes I do still cry, but they are few.  Like I said, I don't feel lonely in general, just lonely for Momma.  I do do things that I enjoy and can find enjoyment in them such as visiting with friends, reading, watching TV and movies.  Once I am up and awake, I do okay during the rest of my day.  I enjoy my lessons.  I do love teaching.  I do have to write down everything that I plan to teach for the students, but I have been doing that for years so this is nothing new for me.

Anyways, Law and Order: SVU is on.  It is a marathon.  I love these marathons.  I hope you are having a good day.

Friday 2-10

It has been an interesting day.  First, I met up with my dear friend, Maggie for lunch.  We went to the Olive Garden, one of my favorite restaurants.  Their soup and salad is awesome.  We had such a good time chatting away.  I haven't really had a chance to catch up with her in several months.  She is just so busy at work.  Maggie has a new work schedule now so we are planning to meet up once a month.  We are going to have our own little book club so I get to go and pick out the next book we will read.  I am thinking of the latest Kristin Hannah book as I love her books a lot.  The only book of hers that was really hard to read was the one before this one called, "Night Road".  It is about teenage drinking and driving and the worse thing that can happen to a family and community.  I think it really makes a person think about choices we make everyday and how one bad choice can virtually ruin your life and others.  The young person in the book was the least drunk out of the 3 teenagers (2 of who by the way, were only 1 mile from home) and they get in a really bad accident.  It is a book I will probably only read once because it is so hard to read with that much grieving in it.

I wrote out my valentines for my students today.  I didn't write the adults any because I didn't think they would care whereas my little ones would.  It has been a few years since I have given any valentines but I felt like it today.  Usually, I make a big deal out of it for mom.  Her last Valentine's Day was in 2010 and we went out to lunch that afternoon.  I bought her a stuffed bear with a balloon that said Happy Valentine's Day.  Before that year I would really go all out for Mom on all the holidays.  It made me happy to see her smile and laugh.  Sometimes we would go to a movie too.  I loved taking Mom to the movie that last few years.  Even before then, Mom and I loved going to the movies together.  This year, I will be teaching on Valentine's Day.  It will be a good day since I will be teaching.

I am working on changing my sleep schedule.  I am trying to go to bed a bit earlier so I will be up earlier.  This way, I will be able to get what I need for teaching that day and have plenty of time to get ready for lessons.  Lately, I have been staying up too late and then sleeping in later than I used too.  I am working on changing that.  I really need to.  I know sometimes I stay in bed late because of boredom and not having something to do.  I will fix that though this coming month.  I am giving myself a month to fix this new plan.  I need to set myself some new goals.  I don't have any right now.  I will have some by next month too.

I am getting tired now.  I am going to read a bit and go to bed.  I hope you are having a good day and evening.

what day is this??? Brain fog 2-8

I almost wrote Thursday as the title to this post.  Brain fog moment.  I am having trouble this year writing the proper year.  I don't know why.  Either I write 2011 or 2013, somehow I keep missing the 2012.  I am not sure because I KNOW I don't want to repeat 2011 and I am not ready to be in 2013.  I rarely know what day it is.  I have to totally depend on my planner to know what day it is and what I have to do.  If I don't write what I need to do, it doesn't get done.  My students know that I must write down what they need or I won't get it for them.  Every night before I go to bed i must check my planner to see what time I have to get up the next day.  I try to pull any music or CDs that I need after the lessons are over for the day so I will have it for the next day.  Right now, my biggest thing is that the music must be put away.  It is really getting to be an issue as I need to start pulling the movie music for the spring concert.

Bob forgot his music today.  Fortunately, I have the songs in other books.  We also did some sight reading. All in all it was a good lesson despite him forgetting his books.  Brooke and Jillian are learning how to read music now.  I am rather pleased with their progress.  Their big sister, Aubrey, has been reading music for the last few weeks.  They are all doing so well.

Person to Person is going to be interviewing Jon Bon Jovi in a few minutes.  Kathy and I love the band Bon Jovi a lot.  I think it is both of ours favorite band.  It is a great interview so far!  I remember going to see them in concert.  I have seen them in concert about 8 times but not on the last few tours though.  They are really good in concert.  Their opening acts have not always been so good, but that is okay, they are and that is what counts.

The head has been back to the normal pain level today.  When I had the cold, it hurt way more than normal.  I am thankful the cold is over, or at least I think it is.  It seems to be over now.  I hope not to get another for a while.  Several of my students have been absent to because of flues and colds.  Most are feeling better again so I should have a full load next week.  That will be good.

I am tired now so I am going to read for a bit and then head for bed.  I hope your day was a good one.

Start of a new week 2-6

Mondays are nice in the Paxton household because it starts another musical week for me.  Outside of the extra tiredness, I am feeling back to normal, well, as normal as I can get!  The students did well today.  The new ones seem like they will stay or at least I hope so.  One is an adult and the other is a 10 year old girl.  the adult is learning piano and the 10 year old is a singer.  She has a nice voice and seemed to like the music I picked.  She brought a notebook and a binder like I requested.  I am almost out of page savers so I am going to need to pick some later this week.

I almost forgot to dry my clothes that I need for bedtime.  Silly me!  I did finally remember about 25 minutes ago.  I don't remember how long they take to dry though so I will be up until they are dry.

I am having the subdivision homeowners board of directors meeting here tomorrow.  I am rather excited about it.  I have pop and tea for people as well as some snacks, M & M's and pretzels.  That should be good.  I wanted to get some chex mix instead of pretzels, but they didn't have any so it is pretzels instead.  I have never hosted the meeting where people have actually come so we shall see if they come tomorrow.  In 2010, we were supposed to have a meeting at my house but no one came.  I was actually upset at the time, but that was a long time ago.  I know so far that at least 2 neighbors will be here.  I hope that we don't have tons of people here as I don't have that much room, but at least 3 or 4.

Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman is on right now.  I have every episode on DVD but still, I love this show.  Mom loved it too.  So far, I think the Hubel family like it too.  I have loaned them season 1.  I told them when they were done with season 1 to let me know and then I will loan them season 2.  This episode is where Dr. Quinn is pregnant.  I don't remember the exact happenings, but since all the episodes were good, i imagine this one will be too.  I remember watching this with Mom after we bought the DVDs.  Cloud Dancing has been injured in this episode.  I don't remember it too well.

Well, my clothes should be dried rather shortly, so I will get ready for bed.  I have a blood test tomorrow afternoon.  I have tried to drink a lot of water today.  I will drink some more before I go to bed.  I do hope you have had a good day!

superbowl Sunday, 2-5

It is the Superbowl today although I will not be watching.  I am watching the Law and Order SVU marathon.  I went to see "Beauty and the Beast" 3D today with my girls.  It was a lot of fun.  I really enjoy being with my girls.  They are all so cute.  Lydia is almost as tall as Natalie.  She has about 1/2 inch to go and she will be as tall as Natalie.  I think Hannah is a bit taller than Natalie.  Sarah, of course, has several years to go before she will be as tall as her sisters.  Sarah is 8 while the twins are 16 and Lydia is almost 15.  She turns 15 this month.  We all really liked the movie.  It is my favorite.  We are hoping that they will also release "the Little mermaid" as a 3D too since it is Natalie's favorite.  I am sorry we missed "the Lion King" last month.  It was only showing for 2 weeks so the window of opportunity was very short so we missed it.  It appears the next one will be in the fall, "Finding Nemo".  I remember that movie.  It was good.  I saw it with Mom and Lily.  Mom really liked it, too.

It was a quiet weekend.  I did go to Heather B-T's church last night for game night.  We played Dungeons and Dragons again.  I think we will be playing that about once a month now.  It is okay, I am getting more familiar with it.  I cursed the bad guys again last night.  I play a cleric.  My character name is Luca.  It was Lucas when the guy played him, but now that I am playing the cleric, I changed the character to female and  changed her name.  Calli plays the game too.  She was also knitting last night.  Calli is very good at knitting and was learning a new technique, one she had never used before.  I think she was doing a good job.

The cold is almost gone.  All that is left is some extra exhaustion.  I have slept more this past week than I have in a long time.  I will freely admit, that I have been enjoying being able to sleep a bit better than usual.  It has been rather nice.  I am not sure if it is the NyQuil I have been taking although I did take some DayQuil too and I still fell asleep with it.

Tomorrow is a lighter day for lessons as Bob has rescheduled for Wednesday and Rachel for Saturday.  I just love little Rachel.  She is such a cutie!  She had her lesson yesterday and is almost ready to start a new hand position with new notes.  Rachel and I giggle a lot during lessons.  Nothing is a beautiful as a child's laughter to me and their smiles.  I love it when their whole face lights up with their smile and laughter.  I loved it when Mom smiled and laughed too.  I guess I like all laughter and smiles.  Rick is doing well.  He will be here for 2 or 3 more lessons before he will be gone again for several months.

Competition is in 2 weeks.  I can't believe it is so close.  I am anxious to see Kathy that weekend too.  I sure hope she is available to hang out.  I hope to see her  a couple of times that weekend.  I am leaving early on Friday so I can spend some time with her before going to the hotel, if she is available.

Apparently, TNT has a Law and Order marathon too.  I am watching the regular Law and Order right now.  I will alternate between the SVU and regular one.  A pleasant night for me!  I do hope you are having a pleasant one too!!!